Now it appears that Microsoft has its own executive shakeup in the works. Steve Sinofsky, President of Microsoft's Windows and Windows Live division, left the company today. The move comes somewhat as a shock considering that Windows 8 just launched last month.

“It is impossible to count the blessings I have received over my years at Microsoft. I am humbled by the professionalism and generosity of everyone I have had the good fortune to work with at this awesome company,” said Sinofsky of his departure in an email to Microsoft employees.

I. First Forstall, Now Sinofsky

While the timing of Sinofsky's departure is a bit startling, the writing has been on the wall for some time with regards to his chemistry with other Microsoft employees. Sinofsky's inability to be a team player is cited as a major reason for his departure, and is reminiscent of Forstall's dismissal.

AllThingsD reported this afternoon that there was growing tension between Sinofsky and other top Microsoft executives. This news comes weeks after CNET ran a piece detailing Sinofsky's rise to power at Microsoft, and his rather combative style of leadership. CNET's Jay Greene had this to say about how former and current Microsoft execs viewed Sinofsky:

Most requested anonymity because they feared potential repercussions. They paint a picture of an executive who is incredibly smart and passionately driven to ship quality software on time. But some also say Sinofsky can create a toxic work environment that has chased talented employees away from a maturing company that's in desperate need of innovative thinking.

Sinofsky's leadership style and compartmentalization of tasks and "reporting lines" within the Windows division lead his approach to be labeled as "Soviet Central-Planning." In fact, the toxicity within Microsoft was humorously detailed in an organizational chart comic by Manu Cornet:

[Image Source: Manu Cornet]

II. Steve Ballmer heaps praise on Sinofsky, points to new leadership

Microsoft CEO Ballmer sent a memo to his staff regarding the departure, and praised Sinofsky's 20+ years of service:

As we enter this new era, and with the successful launch of Windows 8 and Surface behind us, Steven Sinofsky has decided to leave the company. Steven joined Microsoft in 1989 as a software development engineer and has contributed to the company in many ways from his work as a technical advisor to Bill Gates, to leading the evolution of the Microsoft Office business, to his direction and successful leadership of Windows and Windows Live as well as Surface. I am grateful for the work that Steven has delivered in his time at our company. [Full memo here]

Sinofsky will be replaced by Julie Larson-Green. Larson-Green has been with Microsoft since 1993 and has had a hand in program management, and UI design/research for Windows 7 and Windows 8.

Julie Larson-Green [Image Source: Microsoft]

“Leading Windows engineering is an incredible challenge and opportunity, and as I looked at the technical and business skills required to continue our Windows trajectory — great communication skills, a proven ability to work across product groups, strong design, deep technical expertise, and a history of anticipating and meeting customer needs — it was clear to me that Julie is the best possible person for this job, and I’m excited to have her in this role,” said Ballmer of Larson-Green.

The people that were open to trying DID figure this out... largely because Windows 8 TELLS YOU right when you boot into it. It takes 30 seconds to watch and after a day or less of playing around its very straight forward.

The problem is with people who will either NOT try it or are NOT open minded to anything outside of their own opinion and reality (or lack thereof).

It's quite puzzling to me that a subset of people get so irked by Windows 8, then I remember: Windows has a LARGE subset of its userbase who are close-minded, resistant to change, and feel some level of personal validation that they feel they have lost by not seeing a start button there, despite the fact its function is located in the exact same place and works equal to the same as is predecessor.

Thankfully, MS woke up and realized appealing to the same group again doesnt do anything for them especiall ywhen they have to alienating the growing userbase that has decided they ARE open to change for the better. These people do have a software option for them. It's called Windows 7.

Windows 8 is for people who have already decided there are better ways to do the things they want, plenty of advantages to having apps work across multiple devices, and in general like their compute to extend beyond their basement, where the luxury of mouse and keyboard more often than not isn't present.

Evidentally, some people think only their niche usage is important. Good luck swaying them on ANYTHING, better or worse.